Compression sleeve wrap and reinforced methodology for a wood bat

ABSTRACT

Various aspects directed towards reinforcing a wooden baseball bat are disclosed. In a first aspect, a compression wrap apparatus includes an elastic strap and a fastening device coupled to a first end of the elastic strap in which the fastening device facilitates securing a wrapping of the elastic strap around a handle of a wooden baseball bat. In another aspect, a baseball bat apparatus includes a wooden baseball bat and a compression wrap configured to wrap around a handle of the wooden baseball bat. In a further aspect, yet another baseball bat apparatus is disclosed, which includes a wooden baseball bat and at least one alloy compression ring configured to wrap around a handle of the wooden baseball bat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent Application Ser. No. 62/967,589, filed Jan. 30, 2020, which is titled “A COMPRESSION SLEEVE WRAP AND REINFORCED METHODOLOGY FOR A WOOD BAT” and its entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to a compression sleeve wrap and reinforce methodology for a wood baseball bat.

BACKGROUND

America's great national pastime (a 181-year history of major league baseball) involves hitting a baseball with wooden baseball bats. A major league flaw in an almost perfect design of wooden bats is that they commonly break with 5000-7000 PSI of forced pressure toward the narrower part of the bat handle when improperly impacted by a pitched baseball. Most wooden bats will break between 12 inches and 20 inches measured from the bottom of the wooden bat handle. Taking the above mentioned into account prior inventors have attempted to rectify the problem via reinforcement by manipulating and changing the wooden bats natural chemistry, as well as the integrity of the bat by adding materials to the composition of the wooden bat. These changes and manipulations to the wooden bat do not meet the league guidelines or required industry standards.

Accordingly, an apparatus and methodology for reinforcing a wooden baseball bat to avoid breakage during use is desirable. To this end, it should be noted that the above-described deficiencies are merely intended to provide an overview of some of the problems of conventional systems, and are not intended to be exhaustive. Other problems with the state of the art and corresponding benefits of some of the various non-limiting embodiments may become further apparent upon review of the following detailed description.

SUMMARY

A simplified summary is provided herein to help enable a basic or general understanding of various aspects of exemplary, non-limiting embodiments that follow in the more detailed description and the accompanying drawings. This summary is not intended, however, as an extensive or exhaustive overview. Instead, the sole purpose of this summary is to present some concepts related to some exemplary non-limiting embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description of the various embodiments that follow.

In accordance with one or more embodiments and corresponding disclosure, various non-limiting aspects are described in connection with reinforcing a wooden baseball bat. In one such aspect, a compression wrap apparatus is disclosed. Within such embodiment, the compression wrap apparatus includes an elastic strap and a fastening device coupled to a first end of the elastic strap. Here, the fastening device is configured to facilitate securing a wrapping of the elastic strap around a handle of a wooden baseball bat.

In another aspect, a baseball bat apparatus is disclosed, which includes a wooden baseball bat and a compression wrap configured to wrap around a handle of the wooden baseball bat. For this embodiment, the compression wrap includes an elastic strap and a fastening device coupled to a first end of the elastic strap. Here, the fastening device is configured to facilitate securing a wrapping of the elastic strap around the handle of the wooden baseball bat.

In a further aspect, yet another a baseball bat apparatus is disclosed. For this embodiment, the baseball bat apparatus includes a wooden baseball bat and at least one alloy compression ring configured to wrap around a handle of the wooden baseball bat.

Other embodiments and various non-limiting examples, scenarios and implementations are described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various non-limiting embodiments are further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary compression sleeve wrap in accordance with an aspect of the subject specification;

FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of an exemplary compression sleeve wrap and strap in accordance with an aspect of the subject specification;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an exemplary portion of a bat most vulnerable to breaking;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of an exemplary compression sleeve wrapped around a bat in accordance with an aspect of the subject specification;

FIG. 5 illustrates a back view of an exemplary compression sleeve wrapped around a bat in accordance with an aspect of the subject specification;

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of an exemplary “strap” design wrapped around a bat in accordance with an aspect of the subject specification;

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of an exemplary “sleeve” design wrapped around a bat in accordance with an aspect of the subject specification;

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of a first exemplary alloy compression sleeve wrapped around a bat in accordance with an aspect of the subject specification; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of a second exemplary alloy compression sleeve wrapped around a bat in accordance with an aspect of the subject specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

A major league flaw in an almost perfect design of wooden bats is they commonly break toward the narrower part of the bat handle when improperly impacted by a high velocity pitched baseball during games and/or training. Often the improper impact consists of striking the baseball at the top end of the bat or at the lower end towards the handle creating an extreme vibration, which may cause the bat to break. Taking the above mentioned into account, some aspects disclosed herein are directed towards compression sleeves and/or wraps that stretch and compress around the handle of a wooden bat so as to provide continuous compression pressure that helps to reinforce the handle so as to prevent and/or minimize the probability of breakage. The compression sleeves and/or wraps disclosed herein are the first of its kind that support and provide continuous pressure and reinforce a wooden bat at the most vulnerable breaking point during impact training.

The compression sleeves and/or wraps disclosed herein can be designed in many different embodiments and should not be limited to one. For instance, in a first exemplary embodiment, a rubber compression one-piece sleeve/wrap is contemplated. For this embodiment, the bat handle is reinforced by stretching the rubber compression strap material which creates constant tension while it wraps around the outer diameter of a bat by overlapping the strap on itself to keep the starting strap end from unwinding and loosening tension. The compression stretched rubber strap may be overlapped downward in a diagonal motion toward the handle of the bat and the strap material transitions from a strap to a tapered sleeve wrap to fully cover all the strap overlap by the compression sleeve wrap design secured in place by but not limited to a Velcro strip. This will help by reinforcing the bat handle with tension and continuous pressure at the thinner and most vulnerable breaking point of a wooden bat during impact training.

It should be appreciated that the compression sleeves and/or wraps disclosed herein can be designed in many different embodiments to achieve the compression methodology intended by the inventor and its design should not be limited or restricted to one compression design. Also, the material design should not be limited to one material to provide compression and all configuration or all possible attachment concepts to achieve its compression methodology. In an exemplary design, although rubber material is used, it should be appreciated that the scope and spirit of the invention is not limited to rubber compression material, nor to a one-piece system having a strap and/or sleeve wrap connected by, but not limited to, Velcro as a single unit compression sleeve. Alternatively, a single piece detachable compression strap secured by a Velcro strip could also provide the desired compression. In yet another embodiment, a single cover compression sleeve wrap is contemplated for its compression qualities. In a particular embodiment, the desired reinforcement of a bat handle comprises stretching the rubber strap material and creating compression tension, then wrapping it around the outer diameter of the bat in an overlapping downward diagonal motion toward the handle of the bat and then fully covering the strap with the attached tapered bat sleeve wrap secured by but not limited to Velcro strip.

An exemplary desired functionality of the compression sleeves and/or wraps disclosed herein is to reinforce the 12″-20″ inch area most vulnerable to breakage of the wooden baseball bat and may provide at least an estimated 2000 pounds per square inch (PSI) of pressure based on the compression material being used on an 8″ inch strap coverage area. During use, the compression sleeves and/or wraps disclosed herein have the capability to reinforce and support up to an estimated 16000 PSI of compression force to the most vulnerable part of a baseball bat. The compression materials such as Rubber, Latex, Silicon, Plastics, Alloys, etc. may be started at the 20 inch mark of a bat, for example, and wrap by overlapping the strap around the diameter of the bat creating a downward overlapping diagonal motion toward the 12 inch mark of the bat handle. At the opposite end of the strap is a connected tapered 8″ inch sleeve wrap to fully cover the overlap strap compression area from the 20″ mark to the 12″ mark of the bat. The tapered sleeve wrap design may secure the compression sleeve and/or wrap installation in place by, but not limited to Velcro strip, set screw, and/or clamps. The compression sleeve and/or wrap can be easily applied and removed when needed in order to comply with all league and industry guidelines and standards.

The disclosed device is unique in that it is structurally one of a kind and no other devices or solutions currently exist that provide this functionality. More specifically, the device has a unique structure due to its Tapered One Piece Compression Design System. (1) The Rubber Compression Sleeve Wrap is a unique one piece design structure and can be made of strong flexible and stretchable compression material from the long rubber strap to the tapered sleeve wrap cover. This strong flexible stretchable material and the one piece design structure achieves the desired intent of providing more than the required amount of continuous PSI compression needed to the desired area most vulnerable for breakage of the wooden baseball bat. In another embodiment, an alloy compression sleeve is contemplated, which may include a two-piece semi round tapered design (e.g., 8 inches) and is unique in that it uses, but is not limited to, set screws on one piece over threaded holes on the second piece to accomplish compression the two pieces to reinforce the vulnerable part of the wooden bat. In yet another embodiment, a multi-ring compression sleeve embodiment is contemplated which may comprise of three, two-piece semi round independent rings that use, but are not limited to, set screws on one side of the ring and are set over threaded holes on the second piece of the ring compressed and secured for compression to reinforce the vulnerable part of a wooden bat.

This disclosure will now provide a more detailed and specific description that will refer to the accompanying drawings. The drawings and specific descriptions of the drawings, as well as any specific or alternative embodiments discussed, are intended to be read in conjunction with the entirety of this disclosure. The A COMPRESSION SLEEVE WRAP AND REINFORCE METHODOLOGY FOR A WOOD BASEBALL BAT may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and fully convey understanding to those skilled in the art.

Exemplary Embodiments

The present invention is directed to a compression sleeve wrap and reinforce methodology for a wood baseball bat.

In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is contemplated as having the following components: (1) A Rubber Compression Bat Sleeve having a front side and an inner side and a top and a bottom and a compression strap. (2) The length of the front top part of the compression sleeve measures 6 inches long and 4½ inches on the lower shorter bottom portion of the compression sleeve to accommodate proper wrapping coverage of the outer diameter tapered design of a baseball bat. (3) The front left side and front right side of the compression sleeve top edge to the bottom edge is 8″ inches long of the compression sleeve. The front left side from top to bottom has a ½ inch Velcro loops strip installed to secure the sleeve at the time of wrapping completion on the wooden baseball bat. (4) The front left lower side of the compression sleeve has 2 inch wide by 23 inch long strap connected to the compression sleeve. If your view is from the inner side of the compression sleeve the strap would be on the right lower edge of the inner part of the sleeve. (5) The inner left side of the from top to the bottom edge of the compression sleeve has ½ inch Velcro strip hooks to secure the outer Velcro loops when wrapped around the outer diameter of a baseball bat.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary compression sleeve wrap. Here, it is contemplated that the compression sleeve wrap material can be any of a plurality of types of elastic material including, but not limited to, rubber and other flexible options (e.g., comprising of Polymer and Carbon Black based compounds), such as latex, silicon, plastic, and many other polymer and/or thermoplastics as they provide flexibility, compression and strength for this intended use of this compression sleeve wrap design. A unique aspect of this is embodiment is the “Strap Design”, wherein the design strap stretches then compresses and provides desirable reinforced strength to the diameter of the applied area of the bat. Another unique aspect of this embodiment is a contemplated “sleeve design” which can be configured to follow and tightly wrap itself around the tapered diameter of the wooden bat such that it may be secured by, but not limited to, a side Velcro strip as shown here by the diagonal (

) lines on the left side of the sleeve.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary compression sleeve wrap from the inner view design. This FIG. 2 illustration is substantially similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the Velcro Strip shown in FIG. 2 by the diagonal (

) lines are now shown on the opposite side of the compression strap on the left inner side of the compression sleeve wrap utilized, but not limited to, Velcro securing qualities.

FIG. 3 shows the most vulnerable area of a wooden baseball, which is between the 12 inch and 20 inch measurements. These measurements are taken from the bat handle upwards to the barrel of the wooden baseball bat. This area of the bat becomes the most vulnerable for breakage when utilized in games or batting practice training activities.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary compression sleeve wrap strap being stretched and applied diagonally downward overlapping around the diameter of the wooden bats most vulnerable area as to reinforce and strengthen the area for impact. It also shows the sleeve with the Velcro shown here by the diagonal (

) lines.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary compression sleeve wrap strap from the inner view being stretched and applied diagonally downward overlapping around the diameter of the wooden bat's most vulnerable area as to reinforce and strengthen the area for impact. It also shows the sleeve with the Velcro shown here by the diagonal (

) lines.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary compression strap wrap in a “strap design” configuration as a solo unit. For this embodiment, it is contemplated that the compression strap wrap may be stretched and applied diagonally downward overlapping around the diameter of the wooden bat's most vulnerable area as to reinforce and strengthen the area for impact. It may be secured by a Velcro strip that is not currently shown in this illustration.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary compression sleeve wrap in a “sleeve design” configuration as a solo unit. For this embodiment, it is contemplated that the compression sleeve wrap may be configured to follow and tightly wrap around the tapered diameter of the wooden bats most vulnerable area so as to reinforce and strengthen the area for impact. It also shows the sleeve with the Velcro not shown on this current illustration.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary alloy compression sleeve wrap, wherein such “Alloy Sleeve” design can be a one or two-piece design, for example. FIG. 8 shows a two-piece compression sleeve where the threaded holes can be utilized by, but not limited to, set screws to connect the two pieces together and create compression around the tapered diameter of the wooden bats most vulnerable area as to reinforce and strengthen the area for impact.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary three-piece compression sleeve wrap apparatus. This particular “three-piece” design embodiment has three compression rings with threaded holes that when set will be above one another. They may be utilized by, but not limited to, set screws to connect together and create compression around the tapered diameter of the wooden bats most vulnerable area as to reinforce and strengthen the area for impact.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, for the avoidance of doubt, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word without precluding any additional or other elements.

The aforementioned systems have been described with respect to interaction between several components. It can be appreciated that such systems and components can include those components or specified sub-components, some of the specified components or sub-components, and/or additional components, and according to various permutations and combinations of the foregoing. Sub-components can also be implemented as components coupled to other components rather than included within parent components (hierarchical). Additionally, it is noted that one or more components may be combined into a single component providing aggregate functionality or divided into several separate sub-components, and any one or more middle layers may be provided to couple to such sub-components in order to provide integrated functionality. Any components described herein may also interact with one or more other components not specifically described herein but generally known by those of skill in the art.

In view of the exemplary systems described supra, methodologies that may be implemented in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can be appreciated with reference to the various figures. While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodologies are described as a series of steps, it is to be understood and appreciated that the disclosed subject matter is not limited by the order of the steps, as some steps may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other steps from what is described herein. Moreover, not all disclosed steps may be required to implement the methodologies described hereinafter.

While the various embodiments have been described in connection with the exemplary embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function without deviating there from. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment. 

1. A compression wrap apparatus comprising: an elastic strap; and a fastening device coupled to a first end of the elastic strap, wherein the fastening device is configured to facilitate securing a wrapping of the elastic strap around a handle of a wooden baseball bat.
 2. The compression wrap apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elastic strap comprises rubber.
 3. The compression wrap apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elastic strap comprises at least one of latex, silicon, or plastic.
 4. The compression wrap apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elastic strap comprises at least one thermoplastic.
 5. The compression wrap apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elastic strap comprises at least one carbon black material.
 6. The compression wrap apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastening device comprises a Velcro device.
 7. The compression wrap apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastening device comprises at least one hole configured to receive a set screw.
 8. The compression wrap apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wrapping of the elastic strap provides at least 5000 pounds per square inch (PSI) of pressure on the handle of the wooden baseball bat.
 9. A baseball bat apparatus comprising: a wooden baseball bat; and a compression wrap configured to wrap around a handle of the wooden baseball bat, wherein the compression wrap comprises: an elastic strap; and a fastening device coupled to a first end of the elastic strap, wherein the fastening device is configured to facilitate securing a wrapping of the elastic strap around the handle of the wooden baseball bat.
 10. The baseball bat apparatus of claim 9, wherein the elastic strap comprises at least one of rubber, latex, silicon, plastic, thermoplastic, or carbon black material.
 11. The baseball bat apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fastening device comprises a Velcro device.
 12. The baseball bat apparatus of claim 9, wherein the wooden bat comprises at least one set screw proximate to the handle of the wooden baseball bat, and wherein the fastening device comprises at least one hole configured to receive the set screw.
 13. The baseball bat apparatus of claim 9, wherein the wrapping of the elastic strap provides at least 5000 pounds per square inch (PSI) of pressure on the handle of the wooden baseball bat.
 14. A baseball bat apparatus comprising: a wooden baseball bat; and at least one alloy compression ring configured to wrap around a handle of the wooden baseball bat.
 15. The baseball bat apparatus of claim 14, wherein the wooden bat comprises at least one set screw proximate to the handle of the wooden baseball bat, and wherein the at least one alloy compression ring is a semi round alloy compression ring configured to couple with the wooden baseball bat via the at least one set screw.
 16. The baseball bat apparatus of claim 14, wherein the wooden bat comprises a plurality of set screws proximate to the handle of the wooden baseball bat, and wherein the at least one alloy compression ring is a plurality of semi round alloy compression rings configured to couple with the wooden baseball bat via the plurality of set screws.
 17. The baseball bat apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one alloy compression ring is a semi round alloy compression ring comprising at least one tightening mechanism, and wherein the tightening mechanism is configured to facilitate a tightening of the at least one alloy compression ring around the handle of the wooden baseball bat.
 18. The baseball bat apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one tightening mechanism comprises a tightening screw configured to bring opposite ends of the at least one alloy compression ring together as the tightening screw is tightened.
 19. The baseball bat apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one tightening screw is a butterfly screw.
 20. The baseball bat apparatus of claim 14, wherein a wrapping of the at least one alloy compression ring provides at least 5000 pounds per square inch (PSI) of pressure on the handle of the wooden baseball bat. 